Certain Dog Breeds Could Affect Your Insurance Coverage

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

President, Blais Insurance

Dogs hold a special place in the hearts of homeowners. That much is clear when you examine statistics from the American Pet Products Association that found dogs occupy more than 60 million U.S. households. While America’s love for Fido is undeniable, Blais Insurance would like to share important information about dog breeds and how they could impact your homeowners insurance policy.

Roughly 4.7 million dog bites happen in the United States every year and nearly 800,000 of those bites require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since pet owners are legally responsible for any harm a dog causes to someone, carriers have a valid reason to be concerned about a homeowner’s liability risk.

Carriers show that concern by maintaining a list of dog breeds they will not insure. Regardless of how homeowners might feel about certain dog breeds being singled out, insurance providers will not budge from their position — forcing homeowners to find another insurance policy, if one is even available.

The selection of ‘dangerous’ dog breeds is not arbitrary. Dog breeds are placed on these lists if they are disproportionately involved in dog bite claims. A few dog breeds that could make your home challenging to insure include:

·      Pit Bulls (American Staffordshire terriers)

·      Rottweilers

·      German Shepherds

·      Siberian Huskies

·      Akitas

·      And many others

Homeowners who neglect to tell their insurance provider that they have a ‘dangerous’ dog breed could be denied coverage if something were to happen. If you have one of these breeds or are planning to welcome one into your family, Blais Insurance encourages you to speak with one of our agents at 401-725-0070 to learn about your insurance options.

Jump into the Short-Term Vacation Rental Business Completely Protected

Renting Your Home Requires the Right Coverage

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

President, Blais Insurance

The short-term rental economy has gained significant momentum over the last 10 years with the rise of companies such as Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.com. However, it has also been a rude awakening for many unsuspecting participants. If you or someone you know is planning to jump into this side hustle, Blais Insurance urges homeowners to make sure they have the proper coverage to do so.

Many homeowners may not realize that their homeowners insurance policy does not cover the renting out of their home. Under the business pursuits exclusion — a clause in every homeowners insurance policy — homeowners are responsible for any property or liability claims that might happen while they are renting out their home.

If you are using one of these short-term rental platforms, Blais Insurance encourages policyholders not to forget about getting the right coverage. While the right coverage will cost more than a homeowner’s policy, it will still cost far less than uncovered losses.

With a commitment to protect your financial interests, Blais Insurance has been protecting families from unexpected losses for more than 100 years. Call 401-725- 0070 to speak with one of our insurance agents today, and to have the peace of mind you deserve.